calico

Hi quilters, I am a busy teacher getting back to quilting because I'm off for the summer and have tackled a big project with a lot of cutting. I'm using plastic templates for the first time and find that the rotary cutter slices off bits of it every once in a while so I have to cut new ones. What am I doing wrong. I have hundreds of pieces yet to cut. Thanks.

sewnsewer2

Try a heavier weight template plastic or trace the shape with a washable pen and then cut.

kluedesigns

i typically trace the template onto the fabric and then i cut it with a standard rotary cutter and ruler.

calico

Thank you both for the suggestions. I will trace them and use a ruler to cut. I had already bought heavier plastic so knew I wasn't doing it right.

BellaBoo

You can put the ruler over the edge of the template and then cut, save you from having to trace the design.

feline fanatic

This is what I do too! I find ways to shortcut as well. For example a diamond template I measure the width, cut strips then use the template under my ruler to cut from the stips.

calico

Thanks Bellaboo and Feline Fanatic. Actually, that's what I ended up doing. I tried marking it and it didn't show up well enough. By the way, I'm a feline fanatic, too.

feline fanatic

There are a lot of us here! :lol:

My avatar is my Maine Coon, Finnigan when he was a kitten, believe it or not. He was only 6 months old when that pic was taken. I have 4 other cats too.

Bevanger

I trace and the cut with rotary cuter & ruler. I've wasted alot of plastic one trying to cut around them

calico

He's a pretty cat. We have two but would have more if our big guy would tolerate other cats.